Taylor Eigsti©Devin Dehaven

He's the most amazing talent I've ever come across. Remember him." -- Dave Brubeck 

From his earliest interest in the piano as a toddler to his public debut opening for David Benoit at age 8 and throughout his teens when he shared the stage with Diane Schuur and Dave Brubeck, Taylor Eigsti has been on a star trajectory, a path that too often ends when a “child prodigy” enters the more competitive, complex world of adult artist. But Taylor was already entering that more demanding world before high school graduation, releasing his first CD at 14, joining the Stanford Jazz Workshop faculty at 15, and opening for the likes of Diana Krall, Al Jarreau and Hank Jones. Since, he as twice appeared on Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz, was twice recognized by the DownBeat Critics’ Poll, and graced the covers of Jazziz and Keyboard Magazine. Ready to celebrate the release of his sixth recording, Let It Come to You (Concord) at Sculler’s in Boston (May 14th ) at Jazz Standard in Manhattan (May 15-18), 23-year-old Taylor Eigsti hopes he’s finally proven himself worthy of both praise and criticism on the basis of his music. “If someone dislikes my music, I would prefer that they not chalk it up to ‘age,’ and rather judge me on what I am offering within the music alone… I am going to be developing, learning, and growing older throughout my whole life, and I would never say that all of a sudden I'm at the age where I should be taken seriously, because I always took the music seriously myself.”

Jaleel Shaw©Andrea Canter

“Mr. Shaw’s sound on alto saxophone can variously suggest Cannonball Adderley, Jackie McLean or his mentor, Bobby Watson—it’s brawny and full-bodied, but capable of quick silver actions—and his improvisational method is surefooted and exploratory,” – Nate Chinen, New York Times

Drum legend Roy Haynes tours these days with the aptly named Fountain of Youth Quartet. Through Haynes, we were introduced a few years ago to the keyboard phenom Martin Bejerano and the soon-to-be highly acclaimed tenor saxophonist, Marcus Strickland. With Strickland busy leading his own ensembles and other committments, the sax chair was filled about two years ago by young altoist, Jaleel Shaw. Proving his chops with the Mingus Big Band, Roy Hargrove, and Arturo Sandoval as well as in his continuing role with Haynes, Shaw has since earned accolades leading his own group and for his debut recording, Perspective. Proving it was no fluke, Jaleel will celebrate the release of his follow-up recording on his own lable (Changu), Optimism, with sets at the Jazz Gallery in Manhattan on May 2-3.

Frank Wess © Ronald K Marsh

At 85, American Jazz Master saxophonist/flautist Frank Wess is hardly considering retirement. That will be quite obvious this week at the Village Vanguard (April 29-May 4) when the Basie alum brings a stellar quintet to the stage, featuring Terell Stafford (trumpet), Ilya Lushtak (guitar), Rufus Reid (bass) and Winard Harper (drums).